Word After Word

Here’s the course description for my spring 2008 course Writing For Teachers: an introduction to creative writing. It meets T/R am.

When he was ninety one years old, Pablo Cassals, the famous musician, was asked why he continued to practice guitar every day. “I’m seeing progress,” he replied.

The best writing teachers are of course themselves life-long writers. This course provides the beginning writer (no prior experience is expected) a safe, nurturing environment for developing a personal writing practice. After learning a few simple, powerful techniques for focusing and concentrating creatively (licking those procrastination demons once and for all—no kidding!), we’ll spend the rest of the semester generating and responding to narrative: nonfiction and/or fiction. In April, during National Poetry Month, we’ll play with poetry and you’ll develop a stockpile of writing activities for your classroom. Is this course for you? Do you answer yes to any of the questions below?

Do you want to write? Do you get stuck and then stop? Have a hard time starting? Procrastination issues? Are you looking for ways to deepen your existing writing practice? Do you have a desire to learn more about writers’ block, choosing fail-safe topics, and an approach to revision that really works?

This multi-genre writing workshop is for teachers who want to grow as writers. It’s offered through the English Department because it’s a writing workshop for you. Reading load: light yet rich, like the perfect dessert. Writing: due for nearly every class; portfolio in place of final exam. Atmosphere: kind, supportive, sparkly, positive.